Gov’t, stakeholders must invest in youths

To
realise the youth demographic dividend, government of The Gambia and the
private sector must invest in the empowerment and education of young people,
says Baboucarr Kebbeh, CEO of The Gambia Youth Chamber of Commerce (GYCC).

Kebbeh
was speaking on Saturday during the official opening of a week-long first-ever
regional youth exhibition, being staged by his institution in collaboration
with stakeholders currently underway in Farafenni, North Bank Region.

He
lamented the fact that with over 64% of the population being regarded as
youths, out of which 38% are unemployed; signals a worrying concern as it
represents a staggering amount of human potential many of which are trapped in
poverty with few opportunities to learn
from in life a decent living.

“Creating
public entrepreneurship space, places a great hope in empowering our youth in
shaping the future of The Gambia, because we the young people are The Gambia”

GYCC,
he said, is committed to preparing, developing, nurturing and supporting the
establishment of functional youth-led micro enterprises and generate employment
opportunities across the country, he said.

“We
are entrepreneurs that mobilise young entrepreneurs in The Gambia by improving
their future and give them a voice. We advocate for consideration of
legislative and other governmental measures affecting trade, commerce and
industry of young people.”

He
added: “We as young people are hungry for better options, we rejects the status
who and demand a better investment in our future. We are claiming our right to
a decent living and some of us are willing to take risks to do so.”

Kebbeh
made reference to the recent surge in the number of youths taking the
Mediterranean route in search of better lives in West.

In
addressing the root causes of migrations, he went on that his organisation
deems it timely and necessary to create space for young people.

This, he said, includes bridging the opportunity
gap to enhance youth empowerment, promote Gambia made products and services to
boost national economic growth and provide the market space for small and
medium enterprises.